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Anakin awoke with the feeling of just having been hit by a speeder, a loud ringing noise filling his ears and the back of his head feeling like someone Fives decided to bang a Foodtray against it over and over.
Then the memories came flooding back to him- He and Ahsoka crashlanding- once again- after one the ships thrusters decided to give out mid-way in Hyperspace.
He peeled his face off the floor as the ringing noise filling his Ears finally faded, looking around the destroyed ship, vision blurry and patchy. ".. Soka?" He called out with a raspy Voice quietly, blinking rapidly to clear his Vision.
He heard no reply, so he moved to prop himself up on his elbows. He spotted the blurry shape of White-Blue striped Montrals peeking out from further inside the Ship, then the sudden movement of something or someone Blurry moving closer toward Ahsoka, it then he heard it.
The destinct chatter of Tusken Raiders.
His body moved faster before he could even form a proper thought or plan, ignoring whatever injuries he had caused himself during the Crash.
Pure sudden Rage and Adrenaline ran through him, memories of those disgusting Animals who had ruthlessly tortured and almost killed his Mother just barely a Year ago overtaking all of his other thoughts, now fearing they might do the same to his little Sister.
He shot up and rushed forward where he heard the Tuskens sounds and saw its movements, pulling out his Lightsabre and swinging it forward.
The before relatively quiet atmosphere was replaced with the sudden screams of more Tuskens, sounds of a Lighsabre cutting through Flesh, Bones and metal, bodies and various limbs dropping to the ground with thuds.
His Vision cleared finally enough for him to see what he had just done, staring at the voilent scene before him, limbs scattered on about, bodies of Tuskens either cut in half, sliced open or stabbed by his Sabre, the smell of burned flesh filling the Air.
He deactivated his Weapon, breathing heavily as he then turned around to face where Ahsoka lay. She was still out cold- atleast that means she didnt witness or have to see had just taken place barely a metre away from her.
He crouched down and wiped away some of the Blood on her face. There was laceration on the left side of her Face, going from the top, nearly touching her start of her Montrals, over her forehead down to her cheek marking, blood covering the side of her Face and some more bruises turning blue on the right side.
Hed have to treat those in a moment, right now he just needed her away from the dead bodies and all of the Tuskens. He hooked an arm under her knees and one on her back, lifting her up.
He carried her away, stepping over the scattered bodies and limbs and to another section of the Ship. He layed her back down on a somewhat smooth surface that hadnt been completely bend and crushed during the crash-landing.
"Hey Snips..." He shook her shoulder a few times. "Time to wake up..." He practically sang out, shaking her shoulder more insistingly and gently patting her cheek with his other hand and after a moment he saw her eyebrow markings furrow.
Ahsoka let out a groan, eyes fluttering open, her face morphing into a confused expression quickly. "Welcome back." He teased, brushing her cheek carefully, then standing up again and moving away to grab a Medkit.
She blinked a few times, staring up at the broken ceiling. "Wha... happened...?" She mumbled, turning her head to see where her Master was walking.
"Oh nothing... just, a small crash landing, yknow, just the usual." He joked, turning around to her again and sitting down next to her, dropping the Medkit into his Lap. "Oh..." She deflated. "Stay still, you got a pretty bad wound on your face." He said, getting out a cloth to wipe away the blood.
"You got plenty of wounds on your face too." She commented, pointing to one larger cut on his cheek. "Yeah probably, but yours a bigger concern right now." He replied quickly, slapping a bacta Patch on her wound.
It would be just temporary, until they could either find a place to rest or the Republic could come and collect them.
"Time to get moving, come on Snips." He slid a hand on her upper back, helping her sit up. "Have you contacted anyone yet?" She asked as he helped her up, standing up. "Nope, not yet, the ships communication is completely fried, Ill try to contact Obi-Wan once we find proper shelter." He answered, walking out to leave the ship with her.
As they walked out, Ahsoka suddenly noticed the smell of burned flesh, stopping in her tracks for a moment. "Did something happen while i was out?" She asked, turning to look where she thought the smell was coming from.
"Nothing happened, come on." He quickly urged, brushing her off completely before suddenly grabbing her Hand and pulling her forward and out of the wrecked Ship.
They stepped out onto the Desert Sand, Anakin taking a look around to determine where exactly on the Planet they were, pretty quickly figuring out they were far out in the Jundland Wastes. "Looks like were on your Home planet again." Ahsoka turned and offered him a grimaced grin, he only returned a displeased glare.
"Just trying to lighten the mood since you dont wanna tell me what happened..." She murmured, rolling her eyes. "I told you, nothing happened, now come on." He snapped, tugging her hand- which he had still not let go of- to walk forward after him.
"My Mother and the Family she married into in this Area, itll be a Walk though, we are pretty much on the Far end of it." He said after a moment of silence, turning his head just enough to glance at his Padawan. "Alright... But you dont have to hold my hand the entire way there..." She pointed out.
"Well what if i just want to hold your hand?" He quipped back with a smirk. "Ha ha, very funny." She deadpanned, sticking her tongue out at him. He finally let go of her hand, the two trotting in silence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
At some point during their walk, Ahsoka had started feeling dizzy and got a headache that refused to go away. She had no Idea how long they had been walking for, but Anakin had told her they still had the hottest Part of the day ahead of them and they were a little under halfway to his Families Homestead.
When she asked him if he had taken any Water with him did Anakin also realise he completely forgot to take some with them, but now theyre too far to turn back around, theyll have to make do and endure without Water for the rest of the way.
The open desert offered no Mercy, there was no rock in sight, not one bit of Shade in which they could take a break underneath and cool down a bit.
Anakin didnt seem to be suffering as much as she was, still walking and talking normally about. Ahsoka legs felt like jelly and she was lagging behind, barely able to keep up with her Master beside the fact she was dizzy with a killing headache, which she just both blamed her head injury for, and a little bit nauseous.
"You okay there Snips? You look a bit red." Anakin asked, stopping for a moment. "Im fine, if we keep stopping were never gonna reach your Family." Ahsoka breathed out, catching up to him now that he stopped.
"Are you feeling dizzy or Nauseous? Headache or Warm?" He asked, grabbing her arm before she could walk passed him. "Im fineeee...lets just keep moving." She dragged out, side eyeing him. "Alright alright..." He let go again, walking onward again, but slower this time, deciding to keep an eye on her because he was sure as hell not believing her.
They were over two thirds of the way when Anakin noticed Ahsoka was only getting worse, her skin looked more red than the sianna hue she usually had and she didnt seem to sweating much, if at all. He stopped in his tracks, watching his Padawan approach slowly, dragging her feet.
"Ahsoka..?" He asked, a worried expression crossing his Face. "Are we there yet?" She asked, looking at him with a flushed face and breathing heavier than before.
"Do you feel dizzy or nauseous?" He asked again, reaching out with his flesh hand to touch her forehead. "A little... but its nothing, itll go away." She reasoned, shrugging, Anakins hand quickly retreating again when he felt how hot she felt.
"Snips, youre burning up." He said, panic rising in his Voice. "I am?" She asked confused, eyebrow markings rising. "Yes! Youre gonna have a heatstroke soon! Why didnt you say anything earlier?!" Anakin scolded her, but then quickly picked her up, lifting her against him and keeping one arm around her lower back to support her.
She rested her head on his shoulder as he started speed walking further- luckily they already made most of the way.
"Stay awake, alright? Were almost there." He nudged her, pressing a quick peck to her cheek. The only response he got was a quiet "mhm" and a nod against his Shoulder.
Finally, on the horizon he could see the Dome of the Lars Homestead and Moisture Farm equipment, relief and hope immediately flooded him. He quickened his pace again. "Just a little longer Soka, just hang on..." He whispered, rubbing her back.
He finally made, readjusting his grip on his Padawan while walking to the entrance and knocking on the Door. He heard some shuffling and muffled yelling from inside, then the Door opened to reveal his Step-Brother- Owen if he remembered correctly- with an at first confused expression that quickly formed into an surprised one.
"Anakin? What happened to you? I didnt think youd visit." He said, his eyes scanning the multiple cuts and bruises covering his Face, then darting to the Togruta he was holding.
"Yeah, mightve crash landed... and i also didnt expect to visit either, but thats really not important right now. My padawan is about to have a heatstroke." He urged, nodding his head to the side gesturing to her, Owens eyes immediately widening.
"Bring- Bring her in! Beru! Bring some Water!" He quickly answered, turning inside to yell for his Girlfriend and signalling Anakin to follow him, leading him to the Storage Room. He brought her inside, lowering her onto the ground in the cooling shade against one of the supply boxes.
Beru followed after him, handing Anakin the container with Water which he slowly poured the cool liquid in Ahsokas mouth until it was empty, letting her have some much needed hydration. "Ahsoka? You still there?" He asked, rubbing her arm.
She nodded slowly, eyes barely open. "You know where we are?" He followed. "...Temple?" She guessed after a second, eyebrow markings furrowing in confusion. "Yeah, not quite..." He shook his head while he stroked her back lekku, Ahsoka just let out a disgruntled "hmpf".
Owen returned with a damp, small towl, followed by Anakins Mother. He handed his Step-Brother the towl, which he laid over Ahsokas Forehead.
"Ani!" His mother exclaimed, Anakin turning to look at her with a smile, which made her freeze when she spotted the bruises and cuts covering his Face. "Oh, what happened to you?" She knelt beside her Son, putting both her hands on his cheeks and examined the numerous wounds covering his Face.
"Mom, its nothing, doesnt even hurt..." He managed to get out, his smile turning a bit sheepishly. She frowned at him, clearly doubtful, but let go of his Face.
"Just from another one his famous crash landings." Ahsoka suddenly snickered out, making Shmi turn to look at the Togruta. "Excuse you, my flying skills are exceptional." He glared at her, crossing his arms. "Yeah, exceptionally good at crashing." She quipped back.
His Mother giggled, looking between the two as they bickered.
"Very funny, you should be resting."
"Ill rest once you admit that it isnt always the ships fault when you crash."
"Its not my fault the Ships engines gave up mid Hyperspace!"
"Mhm..." She hummed, nodding unconvinced and giving him a shit eating grin. By that point, everyone except Anakin had an amused expression on thier Face.
"Would you all care to join dinner?" A deep Voice suddenly emerged from the open Area, a Man in a Hoverchair approaching closer. "Yeah, were coming." Owen replied, nudging Beru next to him.
"You two should join us too." Shmi pressed a kiss on her sons Cheek, a hand on his Shoulder. "Yeah, we will, you hungry Snips?" Anakin turned to his Padawan. "A little." She shrugged, pulling the now warm wet Clothe off her forehead and laying it atop the box she leaned against.
"Alright then." He picked her back up, carrying her out of the cooling Shade, quickly walking to where the rest was gathered.
Shmi watched as her Son carried the Girl- Snips he had called her, though it sounded more like a Nickname than anything- and followed closely after them, a smile spreading across her Face at the heart-warming sight.
He carried her to the dining Area, placing her on a Chair as Beru went to serve them Plates of Food, chatting away. That gave Anakin finally the opportunity to properly introduce his Mother and Family to Ahsoka aswell as her getting to know them too. They asked how he and Ahsoka had ended up crash-landing on Tatooine and walked from where they to crashed to here, in which Anakin deliberately left out the whole tusken thing.
After dinner, Anakin made sure Ahsoka would rest more, the Lars offering her the spare bedroom they had, let her body cool more down in the shade even if she could comment and tease about his flying skills, she still almost suffered a heatstroke that would still take time to recover from.
After that, the Lars went to do thier own thing, Owen travelling to Anchorhead to get some Parts they needed, Beru and Cliegg going out to fix one of the Evaporaters that had malfunctioned, leaving Anakin and his Mother to catch up alone.
"Ive missed you so much..." He hugged his Mother tightly, burrying his head into her shoulder. "Oh I missed you too, youve grown so much." She whispered, running her fingers through his now brown Hair.
"How have your wounds been? Did they heal properly?" Anakin asked, lifting his head off her shoulder and looking at the scar covering his Mothers cheek, then moving to the one over her left eye. "Theyre fine Ani, but you still havent taken care of your own wounds." She insisted, pulling out the Hug and pulling her Son back to the storage room with all the Medical equipment.
She sat him down, then began taking care of the cuts on his face even when he tried insisting it wasnt necessary, that he would be just fine and wont die from some small cuts and bruises.
He would never admit it out loud, but being taken care of by his Mom again did feel nice.
While she was putting on the last bacta patch on his cuts, Anakins commlink started beeping. He didnt bother even looking to check who was calling, turning it off. "Shouldnt you check to see who it was?" His Mother asked, stopping. "Its just Obi-Wan, ill call him back later, the last thing i need right now is a lecture about me being late and reckless flying." He dismissed it, rolling his eyes at just the thought of his Masters displeased Face.
"Being late for what?"
"Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and me were supposed to tag along on a diplomatic mission, just to make sure no Bounty Hunters or anything came in the way. Well, obviously we didnt make it there and hes mad about it. These missions are boring anyway." Anakin ranted.
"Beside, i cant you visit often, so might aswell stay here while i can, even if it makes him mad. The Wars making it difficult for me and Ahsoka to even catch a break at all. Even after it, its unlikely for the Council to grant me permission to let me Visit every time i ask, they dont exactly approve of my Family ties, or any other for that matter." He explained, staring at the ground.
"Alright." She let out a sigh, applying the last bacta patch to the cut on his Cheek and storing away the Medic Kit in its place again.
They continued talking for a few hours without even realizing how much time had passed, mostly Shmi asking what all happened after he left Tatooine, after he had saved her. Anakin answered everything, telling her how he and Padmé had gotten married, how he had gotten his own Legion for the War and his Padawan, what he had all experienced with Ahsoka during the War, neither of them paying any attention to Time, enjoying each others company after being separated for so long.
~~~~~~~~~~~
By the Time dusk hit, Ahsoka was awake and the rest of the Family was inside the Homestead. Anakin had taken his Padawan out to see the
Twin Suns setting, the various shades of Yellow, Orange and red turning into a deep Blue hue slowly tinting the Sky.
Shmi watched her Son and his Padawan from afar as pointed he out to several Stars and constellations to her.